Program Overview

BA (Hons) Product Design

Overview

The BA (Hons) Product Design course at Manchester School of Art stands out for its dynamic blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, equipping students with a comprehensive skill set that spans hand sketching to advanced tools like virtual reality, AI, and rapid prototyping.

Course Information

• The course fosters an active studio culture of shared learning, where student diversity is celebrated in an inclusive open environment.
• Opportunities for industry placement and overseas study can be pursued before the final year of study, supporting a range of personal and professional ambitions to be explored.
• Connection to the design industry is an essential element of the course, providing a real-world focus to learning and professional development.
• Students will take part in studio projects with local external partners, engage in design competitions, and work with international partners from around the globe, enabling them to develop the creative and professional skills required to support a sustainable career within the product design sector and beyond.

Features and Benefits

• Globally recognised: Ranked in the top 100 schools for art and design in the world (QS World Rankings 2024).
• Diverse workshop facilities: Supported by a comprehensive range of workshops for hand and machine making in wood, plastics, metal, ceramics, and glass, digital making facilities for CNC routing, 3D printing, and laser cutting.
• Expert-led learning: Taught by a range of academic and technical experts across the School of Art who are practicing designers, makers, and artists.
• Industry network: Regular industry-supported projects throughout the course, studio visits, and guest speakers from a range of design practices.
• Study trips: Opportunities to undertake study trips to key design cities.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• Teaching Excellence Framework: Received an overall gold status, meaning the university is rated as outstanding for its student experience.
• National Student Survey 2025 (NSS): 92.3% of students were positive about teaching staff making the subject engaging.

Year 1

• Building core design skills and confidence is essential within the first year of study.
• Students will develop sketching and design drawing skills alongside using CAD software and creating prototypes via taught skills sessions and workshop practice inductions.
• Core modules include:
  • Line Plane Form
  • Product Design Fundamentals
  • Investigation and Application
  • Future X: Kinship

Year 2

• The second year of study will focus on developing a depth of specialist knowledge and the application of skills through increasingly complex projects.
• Students will engage with industry professionals and multidisciplinary projects, providing a variety of opportunities to explore a diversity of design approaches.
• Core modules include:
  • Manufacturing Strategies for Design
  • Future X: Symbiosis
  • Product Design Innovation
  • Contexts for Design

Year 3

• The final year of study focuses on building a professional and sustainable practice aligned to career ambitions.
• Students will develop skills in project management, conducting and synthesizing research towards the delivery of a major design project.
• Core modules include:
  • Design Research Project
  • Future X: Re-worlding
  • Product Design Practice

Study and Assessment

• Year 1: 30% lectures, seminars, or similar; 70% independent study. 100% coursework.
• Year 2: 30% lectures, seminars, or similar; 70% independent study. 100% coursework.
• Year 3: 100% placement (optional). 100% coursework.
• Year 4: 25% lectures, seminars, or similar; 75% independent study. 100% coursework.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points.
• IELTS score: 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5.
• Portfolio: A portfolio of work is required as part of the application.
• UK students:
  • Level 3 qualifications: 104-112 UCAS tariff points.
  • GCE A levels: grades BCC or equivalent.
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma: grade DMM.
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points.
• International students:
  • IB Diploma: with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects.
  • IELTS: 6.0 overall with no individual element below 5.5.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Graduates of this course progress onto careers within the product design industry, including roles in furniture and lighting design, service and user experience design, retail and installation, design strategy and management, design consultancy, research, and teaching.
• Graduates have also developed their own creative businesses as self-employed practitioners, facilitators, and business owners.